MANILA, Philippines — Terminals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will limit the issuance of visitors’ passes as the country braces for the novel coronavirus scare, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Friday.
“The airport chief is exercising his prerogative in granting access to the four NAIA terminals by limiting the issuance of visitors passes for the purpose of sending-off or meeting passengers,” read the statement.
For visitor passes, exception will be given to companions with medical patients “or other related emergency cases, persons with a disability, unaccompanied elderly, unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied pregnant woman.”
Exception on the limit of visitor passes is also given to “government repatriation efforts and activities in fulfillment of government international commitments.”
MIAA said the issuance of passes to “VIP rooms will be limited to airport reception of official guests of the Government and of foreign embassies.”
The limit of visitor passes was ordered to ensure that airline passengers will avoid going in crowds in airport terminals.
“The MIAA is requesting the public who have passengers to meet or send-off at the Manila airport terminals, to refrain from coming in groups heeding the advice of health experts to avoid crowded places,” Miaa said.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal also asked the families and friends of passengers not to bring “highly vulnerable people to the airport,” especially children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals and those with medical conditions.
“Let us say our goodbyes at home and not go to the airport in groups when meeting a passenger. It is very hard to fight tradition, but in times like this, everyone should look out for their own safety, ” Monreal said.